ISLAMABAD, Jan. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Mobile-first digital nano-lending platform Daira has entered into a strategic partnership with Infinix Pakistan, itel Pakistan and Tecno Mobile Pakistan to offer Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) installment plans for smartphone buyers across the country.

Through this collaboration, consumers can purchase quality smartphones through flexible and responsible installment options, significantly lowering the upfront cost of device ownership. The initiative aims to make smartphone upgrades more accessible, particularly for users seeking affordable pathways to essential digital tools.

The partnership comes at a critical moment in Pakistan’s digital transformation. With nearly half of the country’s mobile users still relying on feature phones, smartphone affordability remains a key barrier to broader digital participation. The initiative closely aligns with the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication Pakistan’s vision for digital inclusion, including the government’s “Smartphone on Installments” program, which seeks to accelerate smartphone adoption and narrow the digital divide.

“We are proud to partner with leading smartphone brands Infinix Pakistan, itel Pakistan and Tecno Mobile Pakistan to offer BNPL installment plans to Pakistani users,” said Sheikh Omer Nasim, CEO of Daira. “Daira’s BNPL model directly supports the national agenda of digital inclusion by enabling wider access to connected devices, fostering greater participation in the digital economy, and empowering users to engage more fully with digital services.”

As one of the few SECP-licensed, digital-only non-bank financial companies (NBFCs) in Pakistan, Daira was launched by Pakistani fintech company Finleap, part of the global fintech group FinVolution (NYSE: FINV).  The platform leverages global best practices and proven financial models to better serve Pakistan’s financially underserved and excluded segments.

Since its establishment in October 2024, Daira has gained strong market traction and user trust, surpassing 1.5 million registered users and disbursing over PKR 3 billion in cumulative loans as of January 2026. In June 2025, the company obtained a Buy Now, Pay Later license, enabling it to further expand into consumer financing.

HONG KONG, Jan. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ribo Life Science Co., Ltd. (“Ribo” or the “Company”, stock code: 06938.HK), a leading company in small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics, today successfully listed on the Main Board of Hong Kong Stock Exchange, marking a significant milestone in the capitalization of Chinese biopharmaceutical enterprises in the siRNA field and injecting new momentum into the industry.

In its global offering, Ribo issued a total of 31,610,400 shares at an offer price of HKD 57.97 per share, raising gross proceeds of over 1.8 billion Hong Kong dollars, HKPO was over 100x oversubscribed, International Placing was 16.7x oversubscribed, reflecting strong global investor confidence in the value of the siRNA sector and the Company’s capabilities. The IPO proceeds will provide solid financial support for the advancement of the Company’s core business. In addition, the offering attracted 12 cornerstone investors, including Arc Avenue, Ivy Rock, Springs Capital, China Asset Management, Dacheng International and Dacheng Fund, and Taikang Life Insurance etc., demonstrating the strong confidence of leading institutions in the Company’s long-term prospects.

Dr. Zicai Liang, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ribo, commented: “Listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange represents a major milestone in Ribo’s journey. We extend our sincere gratitude to global investors for their trust and support. Moving forward, we will leverage the international capital markets to accelerate the global clinical development and commercialization of siRNA therapeutics, further strengthen our technologies, deliver breakthrough therapies to patients worldwide while creating sustainable value for shareholders.”

Proceeds from the offering will be allocated across four key areas: (1) Advancing global multicenter clinical trials for core products; (2) Supporting preclinical and clinical development of the pipeline; (3) Iterating and upgrading siRNA delivery and other technology platforms; (4) Replenishing operational capital and earmarking funds for routine corporate purposes.

Ribo has built a fully integrated R&D platform with independent intellectual property rights. Its innovative liver-targeting RiboGalSTAR^TM delivery technology has successfully advanced multiple products into Phase II clinical trials. The Company has established R&D centers in Suzhou, Beijing and Gothenburg, Sweden, and a global R&D network capable of supporting end-to-end drug development from discovery to global clinical trials.

The listing was jointly sponsored by China International Capital Corporation and Citigroup, which provided professional support for the Company’s successful entry into the capital markets.

About Ribo Life Science
Suzhou Ribo Life Science Co., Ltd. (06938.HK) is a global biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics. Powered by its proprietary and innovative siRNA technology platforms, the Company has built a rich and differentiated pipeline targeting major disease areas including cardiovascular, metabolic, liver and kidney diseases. Ribo is committed to delivering revolutionary treatment solutions to patients worldwide through continuous innovation.

For more information, please visit: www.ribolia.com.

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — From January 6 to 9, CES 2026, held in Las Vegas—brought together 4,112 leading enterprises from around the world. As a leading Chinese medical device company, Yuwell Medical made its debut at CES.

At the exhibition, Yuwell Medical showcased a comprehensive product portfolio covering respiratory health, chronic disease management, first aid, and smart wearables. Respiratory products such as the Pocket S portable breathcare device, SP-6Pro portable oxygen concentrator emphasize mobility in medical use scenarios. Meanwhile, the YE699 fully automatic electronic blood pressure monitor are dedicated to making chronic disease management more precise and intelligent.

Making its first public appearance, the Yuwell R3 Health Ring became one of the highlights of the booth. Crafted from titanium alloy and medical-grade resin, it features an ultra-lightweight design with a skin-friendly finish for all-day comfort. The ring enables continuous monitoring of multi-dimensional vital signs, including sleep, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and physical activity. Powered by AI-driven health insights and abnormal condition alerts, it also delivers an impressive seven-day battery life under regular use.

Yuwell has partnered with several professional medical institutions to combine its sensor technologies—developed over more than 20 years of experience in medical-grade monitoring of blood oxygen, heart rate, and sleep—with proprietary AI algorithms. This effort addresses the long-standing challenge in wearable technology of balancing data accuracy, wearing comfort, and actionable health insights.

Yuwell Medical’s participation at CES reflects its clear vision for the evolution of AI-driven health devices. Artificial intelligence is transforming medical monitoring tools from simple “data recorders” into intelligent health stewards. This transformation is unfolding across four key dimensions: first, achieving medical-grade precision by upgrading devices from providing reference data to delivering reliable health analysis and insights; second, enhancing invisibility by seamlessly integrating health monitoring into daily life through ultra-thin and lightweight wearable designs; third, enabling predictiveness by shifting from retrospective data tracking to early risk warnings through AI modeling; and fourth, building a systematic ecosystem in which devices function as collaborative nodes connecting personal and family health management.

Hua Hao, General Manager of Yuwell’s AI Wearable Medical Business, stated: “Our product innovation is closely aligned with our core strategies of globalization, digitalization, and wearability. By integrating hardware, algorithms, and services, we are extending professional monitoring and evaluation—once limited to hospital settings—into everyday life, enabling a prevention-first, closed-loop health management approach.”

SYDNEY, Jan. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — With cherry season in full swing and families making the most of the summer school holidays, road trips and short getaways remain a popular way for Australians to travel together.

Tapping into this seasonal moment, Chery has launched Chery Cherry Trails, a state-by-state guide to cherry-inspired road trips across Australia, designed to help families and food lovers turn simple day trips or overnight escapes into memorable summer adventures.

Designed as relaxed, flexible journeys rather than long holidays, Chery Cherry Trails showcase the diversity of Australia’s cherry-growing regions and the local experiences that surround them. From pick your own orchards and farm gate stalls to wineries, bakeries and regional towns, each trail celebrates the simple pleasure of getting out on the road and exploring closer to home.

Chery is one of Australia’s fastest-growing car brands, with a range of vehicles designed to suit Aussie roadtrips and family travel. Built for long distances and varied conditions, Chery vehicles combine comfort, space and advanced hybrid technology to make road trips and short getaways easy and enjoyable.

Cherry season in Australia stretches through to late summer, with different regions producing fruit at different times depending on climate and elevation. As a result, many orchards continue to offer fresh cherries, farm gate sales and seasonal produce experiences beyond peak harvest, making these trails just as appealing for food lovers as for hands-on pickers.

For those who love the taste of cherries but prefer not to pick their own, the trails are designed to be just as rewarding. Many stops focus on tasting, buying and enjoying cherries alongside other local produce, turning each journey into a foodie led road trip rather than a single activity.

Chery Cherry Trails by state include:

• New South Wales: A scenic loop from Sydney through the Southern Tablelands and Central West, taking in regions such as Young, Mudgee and Orange. These areas are known for family-run orchards, cellar doors and village markets, with routes that move through varied landscapes and historic country towns
• Victoria: A one-to-two-day escape from Melbourne into the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, where orchards sit alongside wineries, cafés and local producers. The mix of elevations means cherry experiences and fresh produce are available across much of the summer period
• Queensland: A short break from Brisbane to the Granite Belt around Stanthorpe, a cooler climate region where small-scale growers combine cherries with broader farm gate and market experiences. The trail pairs food stops with national park scenery and relaxed regional towns
• South Australia: A one-to-two-day itinerary through the Adelaide Hills and surrounding regions, where cherries are grown across a range of microclimates. The trail blends orchard visits with scenic drives, historic villages and wine regions, making it ideal for a weekend escape
• Western Australia: A longer southwest road trip from Perth through orchard country, including Donnybrook, Manjimup and Pemberton. These routes pass through forest landscapes and agricultural regions where cherries are part of a broader local produce offering
• Tasmania: A two-to-three-day journey from Hobart through the Coal River Valley and into the north of the state, taking in historic towns, family-run orchards and cool climate growing regions. Tasmania’s later season means cherry-related experiences continue well into the summer months

While cherry season runs through summer, orchard opening days and times vary, so travellers are encouraged to check ahead before setting off.

For Chery, the initiative is about celebrating everyday Australian moments, from spontaneous road trips to discovering regional towns and local producers and encouraging people to enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

ABOUT CHERY

Chery Australia is a leading automotive brand recognised globally for its commitment to innovation, style, and performance. With a rich history spanning over two decades, Chery has established itself as a pioneer in the industry. Known for producing technologically advanced and visually striking vehicles, Chery offers a diverse range of models that cater to different lifestyles and preferences. Each Chery vehicle embodies the brand’s passion for pushing boundaries and redefining the driving experience. 
For more details on Chery visit www.cherymotor.com.au or Instagram @cheryaustralia  

Cherrapunji, Pelling, and Kalimpong are also enjoying increased domestic interest

SINGAPORE, Jan. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda has revealed its latest insights into domestic travel interest to India’s North-East. Darjeeling (West Bengal) emerging as the most searched destination in the region on Agoda for the period of October to December 2025. The picturesque hill station, Gangtok (Sikkim) in second, and Shillong (Meghalaya) in third, together form the top trio of destinations in the region, drawing travellers with their scenic beauty and unique cultural experiences.

The data, based on accommodation searches made on Agoda by Indians between July and September 2025, underscores the appeal of these hill stations as quintessential retreats for domestic travelers in the holiday season.

Following the top 3 closely are Guwahati (Assam) and Siliguri (West Bengal) in the fourth and fifth spot, respectively. Guwahati’s lively city life and Siliguri’s strategic location as a gateway to the region make them integral parts of many travel itineraries.

To underline the growing popularity of India’s North-East, smaller towns like Cherrapunji (Meghalaya), Pelling (Sikkim), and Kalimpong (West Bengal) are also drawing increased attention from domestic travelers. Cherrapunji offers lush landscapes and stunning waterfalls, Pelling provides breathtaking views of the Kanchenjunga range, and Kalimpong delights with vibrant flower markets and colonial architecture. These hidden gems are also enriching the North-East travel experience with their quaint offerings.

Commenting on the trend, Gaurav Malik, Country Director for the Indian Subcontinent and Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda, said, “It’s great to witness travellers embracing the diverse landscapes of India, in this case the North-East. The region’s natural beauty and serenity captivate those seeking both popular and quaint experiences. In recent years, many accommodation providers, including hotels, hostels, and non-hotel accommodations like villas, serviced apartments, and homestays, have partnered with Agoda to capture the growing interest from domestic and inbound travelers alike. I would encourage any hotelier or other accommodation provider, big or small, that isn’t listed on Agoda yet to take advantage of our easy 30-minute onboarding program to ensure they aren’t missing out.”

With over 130,000 flight routes, more than 6 million holiday properties, and over 300,000 activities, Agoda offers flexible options and deals to help travelers discover destinations that suit their plans and preferences. Discover the best deals on Agoda’s mobile app and visit Agoda.com to plan the perfect year-end trips.